Victor Wembanyama Matches NBA Finals Halftime Block Record as Spurs Dominate Defensively
Victor Wembanyama delivered a remarkable defensive first half in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 14, 2026, continuing to shine in the first Finals series of his career. The San Antonio Spurs center knows his team is trailing 3-1, and the article says he has raised his level accordingly.
By halftime, the French star had five blocked shots, tying the NBA record for blocks in a Finals half. He joined a list of elite names at that mark, including Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. Howard still holds the single-game Finals blocks record with nine, a mark the article says Wembanyama could threaten if he keeps up his pace.
His rim protection helped stifle the New York Knicks, who fell behind by double digits early and managed only four made baskets in the paint in the entire first half. New York scored just 13 points in the opening quarter, the second-lowest first quarter total ever in an NBA Finals game.
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